India. Liquor set to become cheaper in Punjab

The Punjab council of ministers on Tuesday approved the state’s excise policy for 2016-17, increasing the excise revenue target by Rs 400 crore from Rs 5,040 crore in the outgoing fiscal 2015-16.

It also fixed the maximum price for a bottle of beer at Rs 120, against the present tag ranging from Rs 110 to Rs 160 in different districts.

The new policy, approved in the cabinet meeting presided over by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, also now mandates lowering the kickstart price of the country liquor at the distillery level by `20 per case (12 bottles) from the existing Rs 250 to Rs 230.